Brainstorming Skype Session

This past Sunday, I asked three of my friends to help me with my big problem, asking for helps and advices. 

I was not sure on how to handle this "meeting", as already said I almost never ask for help, so I decided to start from the suggestions made by the participant of my online survey. We went through all the advices in order to get ideas and have a starting point. This are the ideas we came up with:

• Website "Cat-Finder": we thought that a website where people can find every cat in the shelters of an area might be a good idea in order to promote animals that are in shelters less famous than others, or less reachable than others. 
• Social media development: as many survey participants pointed out, only few shelters are active on social media, but today, social media is one of the most powerful way to reach people, in order to promote the shelter and the animals inside. Social media is also a good way to promote "social useful message", and creating awareness for older cat might be one of these cases. Right now, only few famous shelter are active on social media (Facebook above all), but improving this tool is for sure a good idea.
• Person-Cat Match: this idea is probably the most "creative". We were thinking that there might be a lot of people, maybe elderly, who would like to have a cat but they can't keep one at home, maybe because it's too complicated, or they don't have the necessary resources. So we thought that it might be a good idea if the cat remain in the shelter, but the "human partner" can come and take care of him whenever he wants, and give him food and pet him.
• Volunteers strengthening: this is strictly correlated with the above solution. For example, they might pick up these people take have a "match" with a cat and bring them to the shelter, so that it is easier for them to reach the place. Volunteers are important in a lot of different situation, and having more of them let every solution be easier to implement. 
• Shelter Parties: this is the one idea that we rejected. We took inspiration from one suggestion of the survey; shelters should have parties and, taking advantage of the moment, they should show the cats. We decided that this idea was not in line with our focus and goal, and with our "human target" being especially elderly, we didn't think it was a good idea, or, in other words, not our priority. 
• Raise awareness of diseases. Unfortunately, old cats have sometimes some diseases; a lot of people in their comments said that there should be more awareness of what these diseases are and what they mean, because most of the time they require only some medication that are easy to give, while many people are just scared about them. 
• Flyers to get to know the shelters: this is correlated to the fact that most shelters are unknown to most people, and the animals that are there have a disadvantage. Not only they are old so people might prefer someone else, but people don't actually even know they exist. This is correlated to the development of social media. 
• Coupons for food and or vet: this is "so-so" point, we were not very sure about it. The issue is that there are no money in this field, so who would actually pay for these coupons? The shelters are no-profit associations and nobody gets paid, and vets are already doing a lot of thing pro-bono. So it might sound a good idea to promote the adoption of (especially) sick cats, but it might be very complicated to implement. 

The Creative Process: a fun tool & Updates on the Big Problem

Hello everyone,

It has been weeks since I bought this "thing" from the book store of MoMA PS1 in New York, waiting to be used: today I want to talk about the 75 Tools for Creative Thinking.

It contains 75 cards "for everyone who needs creative inspiration".
I was very excited to try them today for my big problem, but only after opening them I realized that you are supposed to use them with a group of people; right now I don't have a group of friend that I can "use", and everybody is going crazy for finals, but I hope that I will find someone willing to experiments these cards before the end of the semester.



I am a little stuck on my problem: I have done (I think) a lot of researches, but now I'm not sure where to turn. I know that a group brainstorming might be the right idea, so to get new thoughts that I would not think about otherwise, but I'm a "lonely girl" most of the time, and it's not easy for me to ask someone to help me, especially if they have to talk about cats and they don't love cats as much as I do. But I should force myself and ask for help, for the good of the cats!

Primary Research, the Online Survey: the Results

On November 1st I opened a survey online; the goal of it was to find out what people think about my "big problem" and if they have any suggestions for it.

Let's have a look a the results:

Demographics

First of all, the survey was in Italian and I posted on a lot of Facebook pages of Italian cat shelters; the survey was targeting people that have one or more cats.  

34 people completed the survey, while 46 is the number of total participants. 

• Gender: 85.3% women; 14.7% men.
• Age: 2.9% under 18; 11.8% 18-24; 32.4% 25-35; 32.4% 36-50; 20.6% 51-64; no one over 65.
• Geographical area: 73.5% north Italy; 17.6% center Italy; 2.9% south Italy; 5.9% outside Italy.

Personal Behaviors

The majority (73.2%) found their cat/s in a shelter; the others found their cat/s abandoned in the streets or from friends.

90% of the respondents took their cat when he/she was under 7 years old. Of these people, 91.2% would take into consideration adopting an older cat. It is interesting to notice that two out of the 3 people who answered "no", said so because they don't want to have problems with the other cat they already have at home. The other person motivated her answer in this way: "I think she/he would not grow fond, he/she would have an already shaped disposition, it is unlikely to educate a cat older than 7 years old; I should see the cat, and understand if, despite the older age, he/she would be compatible with me and the ambience and an integration would be possible."

Regarding the 4 people (10%) who chose a 7 years old or older cat, one did not leave her motivation; here are the other 3:

"He/she needed a home"; "It was love at first sight"; "Because it was unlikely that someone else would have adopt him/her". 

I then asked an important question: "how much the moral aspect counted on this choice?" The arithmetic average of the 4 answers tell us that the moral aspect counted for 79%.


For the question "Do you think it is important that these places (like the shelters) promote the adoption of older cats?" these were the results:
71.4%: yes, it's a moral issue
5.7%: yes, it means less costs for the shelter
2.9%: no
20%: other.
More information about the "other" answer:
"Yes, everybody have the right of a home."
"Yes, because it is right that even older cats, that most of the time come from previous abandonments, may live in a house with the care and the love as the others."
"Yes, everybody have the right to be loved."
"It always depend on the family that will take care of the cat, if there are children, a garden etc."

Shelter Behaviors

54.1% of the respondents noticed that the place where they took their cat pushed the adoption of older cats. Here are the additional information that they left:

"They always evaluate who is looking for a cat, they talk to them and they take the necessary time to try to find the most suitable cat for that person, for his life and his habits."

"Because in the shelter cats with more than 7 years are the most numerous."

"Raising awareness, adoption notices, offering to visitors the adoption of older cats or even disabled cats, obviously for the ones who can be adopted, and telling their stories."

"Trying to incentivate the visit to the older cats."

"I went to the shelter saying that I wanted to adopt cats that have been there for longer time, and so in the need for a house and a family."

"Always offering the alternative of an older cat to a kitten who is suitable for the family."

"Explaining the positive aspects of adopting an older cat."

"By letting me know them (the older cats)."

"By giving place to them during the visit."

"Explaining that an older cat doesn't have anything less than a kitten, with the plus of be more manageable than a kitten."

"By letting the visitors know the older cats, explaining the positive sides of each of them."

"By highlighting that kittens find easily a home, while the older ones are often convicted to a life in the shelter."
"Adult cats are shown and they show themselves. You have to say that they need a real home, they are already sterilized and aware of his/her spaces. They usually don't need to play in an impetuous way, and they are balanced and patient."

Suggestions

"Do you have any suggestions about what these shelters might do to promote the adoption of older cats?" All answers:

"Giving all the information regarding the health of the cat. People is scared by a lot of diseases because they don't know them!"
"The heart adoptions should always be promoted, but you can't promote them to everyone, you must understand the person in front of you, if he/she is the right one."
"I don't know, I'm not familiar with this."
"No."
"Create as much as possible awareness and make people understand that even adult cats may adapt well in a house and give a lot of love, maybe even more than a kitten. Sometimes, for the older people or for someone alone is the best choice, because it's less demanding and he/she is a careful and affectionate company. Unfortunately all  the time the associations don't have enough funds and they are not supported by the institutions. For example, a municipality which owns the cat shelter may raise awareness for the adoptions, with promotions (even the law gives the possibility), giving facilitations (coupons for food or vet visits), for who adopt an older cat."
"With propaganda."
"Dedicated columns on social networks, local newspapers etc."
Unfortunately it depends upon the sensitivity of each person."
"With more promotion."
"I think that when people arrive in a shelter it is fair that you show them all the cats in the building. You should tell their stories; and I think that if elderly arrive, it is recommended to suggest older cats, because more calm and with an already shaped disposition."
"I don't know."
" Certainly, you must evaluate the previous experience of these cats. If they always lived outside, maybe adoption is not the best thing for them. Everything depends on the conscience and the intellect of the staff who has been educated on this topic."
"No."
"They might aim at the need of a house for these cats, the fact that they are like our grandparents and they can't stay alone."
"Simply showing how these cats are.. Affectionate, anyway with still many years in front of them and sometimes, already educated."
"Addresses online."
"Trying to eliminate the prejudice that people have that they don't want to adopt older cats because he/she is not going to get used to!"
"Aiming at the fact that an older cat is already educated and gives a lot of love."
"I think it is right to "sponsor" all the adoptions, of young or old cat, healthy or not. The important thing is trying to understand the  right situation for every cat that is going to be adopted."
"Doing videos about older cats and uploading on the shelter's website."
"Maybe doing on the weekend some parties when they promote these adoptions."
"With pictures and video of the older cats."
"Pictures and distribution."
"They might talk about the dispositions of every single cat/dog; some people are looking for a calm pet, or one that get along with others (animals or children), other people are looking for a lively pet. These characteristics are more evident in an adult animal, while with the kittens is going to be a surprise and someone might not be prepared for it. Even the fact that usually the older one are already sterilized might be an incentive, since they have been suffered in the past, now they can enjoy love, food, and a house and be happy."
"Making more awareness."
"Making pictures and video with older cats and showing them to people when they come at the shelter."
"Maybe offering discounts on special food or vet therapies."
"After a careful selection of the candidates, even cats with chronic diseases should be adopted. Renal failure, for example, it cannot be cure correctly in a shelter, while an aware and responsible owner can definitely handle it better. Like a FILV or FELV (cat diseases). The problem remains on the selection of the right candidates, but it must be done."
"No, nothing."
"Carefully showing them and explaining that they can give you a lot."
"Maybe showing more statements of people who adopted an older cat, and promoting this kind of adoptions especially among elderly, through channels different than Internet, that maybe is less accessible."
"Subject to interview with the candidates, trying to understand if it would be a good situation for everyone, especially for the cat."
"No."

Writing a song - Guest Speaker

The post of this week is going to be quite different from the usual: I have a guest speaker on my blog!

In this short clip John explains his creative process when he is writing a new song.

Enjoy!

Primary research: first results *Saving the old cats*

It's been a while since I've posted updates about my big problem. Today I will share the first results of my primary research.

I sent 33 emails, where I presented myself and my research and I asked if they were willing to answer few questions.

I received 8 answers, and only one was negative; as today, I received 4 completed questionnaires. 

These are the translations of the answers:

Mondo Gatto

·      Where is the cat shelter located?

In Milan.

·      Who is the supervisor? How many volunteers do you have? Is there any employee?

The shelter is managed by the Association which counts on 40 volunteers, no employees and 4 operators.

·      What kind of relationship do you have with the municipality? Do you receive subsidies?

We don’t receive any subsidy from the municipality of Milan, we just have an agreement for sterilizations and therapies for stray cats.

·      What kind of help do you receive from the outside?

Donations, in money and food.

·      How many cats over 7 years old do you have?

It depends on the period of the year; in summer the percentage drop because of the arrival of kittens while during the winter inevitably increase.

·      Are there people who specifically ask to adopt those cats? Can you show a percentage (even vague) of these people in comparison to the visits you receive?

Luckily there are people willing to adopt older cats, their percentage is around 10%.

·      Approximately, how many cats over 7 years old are adopted in comparison to younger cats?

Around 20%.

·      Do you promote in any way the adoption of older cats?

Yes, we try to explain what it means and in many cases the advantages that there are in adopting an older cat; this is one of goal of the Association.

·      If yes, what you have done?

We address with a certain frequency this issue on social networks and magazines, publishing pictures of the cats with a little description of their personalities, of their story (if known) and the requirement for the perfect adoption, at least in theory.

·      Do you know any initiative external to your shelter addressing this issue?

No.

·      Do you think that the adoption of older cats might have some sort of benefit on the shelter of a economic kind? Or is it just a moral issue?

Yes, it is an economical saving because adult cats need to eat therapeutic food and sometimes to take medicines, but it is for sure also a moral question, an informed choice that can add value and meaning to the action of adopting an animal from a shelter.

Associazione Gattolandia

·      Where is the cat shelter located?

Monza, near Milan.

·      Who is the supervisor? How many volunteers do you have? Is there any employee?

There are 4 funder members and around 50 volunteers. There are no employees and nobody is paid.

·      What kind of relationship do you have with the municipality? Do you receive subsidies?

We are completely autonomous and private, we don’t receive any grants from any institutions.

·      What kind of help do you receive from the outside?

Various donations; from food to blankets, and money (through cash, bank transfer, paypal, 5x1000).

·      How many cats over 7 years old do you have?

More than 10.

·      Are there people who specifically ask to adopt those cats? Can you show a percentage (even vague) of these people in comparison to the visits you receive?

It might seems weird but the requests are seasonal. Before summer holidays a lot of older cats have been adopted; in September a lot of kittens. Honestly I’m not good with percentages, and the adoption of older cats depends on a lot of variables: season (it is uncommon to have kittens in the winter), family’s needs (composition, presence of other cats or dogs), in general beyond the request of who wants to adopt. What we do is to address to the most suitable cat in relationship with the type of family and the life style; there is no constant equation.

·      Approximately, how many cats over 7 years old are adopted in comparison to younger cats?

Again, not good at statistics; let’s say around 30%.

·      Do you promote in any way the adoption of older cats?

If we think that it is suitable for the family, yes.

·      If yes, what you have done?

If the cat is very old, we push the adoption as “heart adoption”.

·      Do you know any initiative external to your shelter addressing this issue?

Basically every shelter pushes older cats as “heart adoptions”.

·      Do you think that the adoption of older cats might have some sort of benefit on the shelter of a economic kind? Or is it just a moral issue?

Who spend 90% of his time to volunteer, without a wage, doesn’t take into consideration the monetary side. In general, and not only for what concern older cats (probably who breeds cats for work might give a different answer) the adoption of every cat is a moral/emotional topic. The cost of a cat in the shelter depends on the situation of the cat at his arrival more than on his age: if the family who abandon him always cured him it will have a cost (medical examination, pesticide, and maintenance). If he never got a vaccine and he’s never been to a veterinary, it will have another cost (complete check up). If the cat arrives with a disease, he might needs specialized therapies and ad hoc food. So I would say that the cost depends on the health condition of the cat upon his arrival more than on his age.

Telefono Difesa Animali

·      Where is the cat shelter located?

We are located near Brescia. The building has 600 mq internally (6458.3 ftq) and 3200 mq (34445 ftq) of green areas in the park outside, completely used as a center for recovery/therapy/adoption of cats.

·      Who is the supervisor? How many volunteers do you have? Is there any employee?

It is managed from the no-profit association “Telefono Difesa Animali” (Safeguard of Animals Telephone), born in 1994. Right now there are around 40 volunteers; 25 are working on the cleaning of the building, 10 are foster parents (nannies), and 5 work on social networks, web, fundraising, administrative office and other activities. There are no employees, and nobody is paid (except for 2 veterinaries, paid for their service).

·      What kind of relationship do you have with the municipality? Do you receive subsidies?

We don’t receive grants from the municipality, and we don’t have agreements with public administrations. We collaborate with ASL Brescia on the strength of the national law 281/91 and the regional law 33/2009, catching on the territory cats of feline communities which are sterilized for free by ASL (around 300 cats per year).

·      What kind of help do you receive from the outside?

Donations and money offers, food but also various kinds of objects, which are reselled with revenues for the shelter.

·      How many cats over 7 years old do you have?

6; they are almost exclusively from anonymous abandonment, rescued “post trauma” but without a comparison on “lost cats” announcements, or senior cats of a community sterilized but left alone and by now domestic. In this age zone, last year at least 3 cats have been reunited with their original families after being rescued from car accidents.

·      Are there people who specifically ask to adopt those cats? Can you show a percentage (even vague) of these people in comparison to the visits you receive?

Only 2 families per year (on around 280 adoptions) expressively ask to adopt a senior cat, above 7 years old.

·      Approximately, how many cats over 7 years old are adopted in comparison to younger cats?

See the previous answer.

·      Do you promote in any way the adoption of older cats?

We have to specify that we discourage the transfer of a senior cat from private owners to a shelter; we suggest that the research for a new family has to be done directly from the “seller” through clinics, acquaintances, neighbors, friends and colleagues. This give them also the possibility to stay in touch with the new family and it gives more guarantee for the cat.

·      If yes, what you have done?

We promote anyway the adoption of a senior cat, taking the cue from the attached document [which comprehend the 7 reasons for adopting an adult cat that I wrote about in this post].

·      Do you know any initiative external to your shelter addressing this issue?

No.

·      Do you think that the adoption of older cats might have some sort of benefit on the shelter of a economic kind? Or is it just a moral issue?

No, no benefits.

ARCA 

·      Where is the cat shelter located?

In Milan.

·      Who is the supervisor? How many volunteers do you have? Is there any employee?

It is managed directly by the supervisor. There are around 20 volunteers and no employees.

·      What kind of relationship do you have with the municipality? Do you receive subsidies?

Only continuing inspections by ASL. No help or grants of any kinds.

·      What kind of help do you receive from the outside?

Sporadic and modest donations of food, objects or money.

·      How many cats over 7 years old do you have?

Around 10.

·      Are there people who specifically ask to adopt those cats? Can you show a percentage (even vague) of these people in comparison to the visits you receive?

10%.

·      Approximately, how many cats over 7 years old are adopted in comparison to younger cats?

5%.

·      Do you promote in any way the adoption of older cats?

Adoptions are made with very accurate criteria of selection, taking into consideration the needs of who is willing to adopt and the situation of the cat.

·      If yes, what you have done?

We discourage the adoption of kittens to seniors and people who live alone. Every adoption is different and we need take into consideration a plurality of factors, about personalities and environment: in general, we try to match the needs of the cat and who adopt him, so that the cohabitation satisfies the whole family.

·      Do you know any initiative external to your shelter addressing this issue?

No.

·      Do you think that the adoption of older cats might have some sort of benefit on the shelter of a economic kind? Or is it just a moral issue?

In the eyes of the shelter, cats and kittens have more or less the same cost. Once tests and sterilizations have been done (but even older cats, when they arrive, have those), the two age zone are the same. Is primary a moral reason, but you have to find people with a particular sensitivity, and they are very rare to find.